CD RELEASE SHOW TONIGHT >>>

Phasers on Kill has been fighting the pop punk fight for nearly four years since members of the defunct West of Waco formed this quartet, grabbing the name from a Screeching Weasel song. Phasers on Kill's latest, Write Home, is a five-track EP — a jump-up-and-down-and-smash-something sort of album that at once rocks like the bejezus yet is melodic.

Chris Adkins (guitar, vocals), Mikey Waco (guitar, vocals), Ryan "Timebomb" Smith (drums) and Dan Rankin (bass) will showcase Phasers' new work tonight at Jazzbones with Big Wheel Stunt Show and True Holland in support.

I previewed the Phasers on Kill show earlier in the week, but had an opportunity to chat with Adkins about the new release, Write Home.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: You must be excited to have the CD complete.

CHRIS ADKINS: We're just really excited to play these songs and give people the chance to take the music home with them. We've been working on the CD for the better part of 6 months now, and seeing the disc in everyone's hands will be rad.

VOLCANO: Six months?

ADKINS: We started in the studio May 2012, so I guess it's actually been 7 months. The recording itself only took a couple weekends, but getting the mixing and mastering done, finalizing the artwork etc. tacked on some more time. 

VOLCANO: Who mixed, mastered and recorded it?

ADKINS: The recording process for this EP was really awesome for us.  We recorded at Monkey Trench Studios in Bremerton, which is owned by Mike Herrera of MxPx.  The studio is top-notch, and really brought out the best in us as we laid down these tracks. It was recorded and mixed by Bradly Miranda. He's a freakin' savant. I'm sure he'll be a part of some amazing music projects in his career. We were lucky enough to have it mastered by Stephen Egerton of the Descendents.  So obviously we've had some of our biggest influences involved in this project - it's been amazing.

VOLCANO: Did you enjoy the process?

ADKINS: The process is fairly collaborative. Either Mike or I will bring some music/lyrics to the table, and the rest of the band chips in where they feel appropriate.  There's always an element of healthy banter before we get to the (somewhat) final version of a song, but at that point it's in the best state possible, so definitely worth it.  

VOLCANO: What inspires you Chris?

ADKINS: Inspiration I think comes from different avenues for each of us. I think one thing that always inspires us is other music; I know when I hear a song or album that I love, it just gets the juices flowing, and I want to pick up the guitar and start writing.  Most of the songs on this EP are pretty introspective, so a lot of personal inspiration here lyrically.

VOLCANO: What's in the future for Phasers on Kill?

ADLKINS (Pulls out crystal ball, dons psychic garb): Ooooo what do I see here? A West Coast tour in the Spring? Ha ha, OK enough of that, but yea we are planning a West Coast tour, in April, to take this EP on the road.  We might be doing a split 7-inch record with another local band; so all you vinyl lovers take note.  I think we'll be back in the studio at some point later in the year, as we've already started writing new songs, so it should be a busy 2013.

Music fans can listen and pick up digital copies of Write Home at http://www.phasersonkill.bandcamp.com.

JAZZBONES, PHASERS ON KILL CD RELEASE PARTY WITH BIG WHEEL STUNT SHOW AND TRUE HOLLAND, SATURDAY, DEC. 29, 8:30 P.M., $5, 2803 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 253.396.9169

SATURDAY, DEC. 29 2012 >>>

1. Kurt Lindsay blew away the crowd at the Jeff Buckley Tribute Night several weeks ago. The BODYBOX frontman's voice, like Buckley's, is simultaneously full of bravado and wounded timidity. BODYBOX - a three-piece rock band from T-town made up of singer and guitarist Lindsay, drummer Belal Anwar and bassist Nick Kennedy - plays a mix of funk, folk, bass-driven soul and alternative rock. The trio performs from 7-9 p.m. at the Franciscan Polar Plaza ice rink.

2. While enrolled at Evergreen State College's Tacoma campus, film student Ronald Lagman saw heavy doses of sex and violence - a la Quentin Tarantino style - grace the screen in several of his classmates' films. Lagman knew he wanted something different out of his work. After seeing a documentary about a Filipino World War II veteran in 2002, Lagman instantly knew he'd found a great subject for his first movie. Lagman's Lolo, a short film about a 77-year-old Filipino World War II veteran who lives with his family, will screen at 1 p.m. at the Tacoma campus of The Evergreen State College.

3. Saxophonist Kareem Kandi will be joined by organist Delvon Lamarr and drummer Adam Kessler for a night of jazz at Uncle Thurms Finger Lickin Ribs & Chicken in Tacoma's Lincoln District beginning at 7 p.m.

4. Tahoma Souls Alive and The Remains will rock The Spar in Old Town Tacoma at 8 p.m. in celebration of Gary Martin's 50th birthday. If you love classic rock ...

5. Feel like you need a little Holidaze? How about a lot of Holidaze? Mighty High will add a psychedelic element to original dub music popular in Europe in the '70s and '80s at 9:30 p.m. inside Doyle's Public House. Weekly Volcano readers named Mighty High the best jam band in Tacoma.

LINK: Saturday, Dec. 29 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

HOW TWEET IT IS >>>

Whether you've been on Twitter since its beginnings in 2006 or you're a Twitter neophyte, you know keeping up on important tweets can be overwhelming. If you follow everything and everyone that you find interesting, you can end up with hundreds and hundreds of Tweets showing up in your feed on a daily basis.

Don't despair. Every Saturday the Weekly Volcano shares important and pointless Tweets from South Sound Twitter accounts, and sometimes beyond, so you may catch up on shopping and pants party incidents - and the latest action on the streets.

Salty Joe here, coming to you from the Swiss kitchen.My plan is to post upcoming lunch and dinner specials, and... fb.me/2n0nLnyNp

— Swisspub (@swisspub) December 29, 2012

The gate at Longmire is now open. Chains or 4WD required.All vehicles must carry tire chains. kdr

— MountRainierNPS (@MountRainierNPS) December 29, 2012

Checkin out @donaldglaude tonight spinin at Foundation Night Club, we grew up on the same street back in the day!! #119thStLove #Lake-Hood

— Wanz (@teewanz) December 29, 2012

I just realized that I have lived one block from the Parkway Tavern for nearly 15 years now. This explains a lot ...

— Derek Young (@DerekYoung) December 29, 2012

looks like big fire & police happenings in the 900 block of S Sheridan #tacoma #hilltop

— Wild Celtic Rose (@awildcelticrose) December 29, 2012

1st Podcast! Find out how Tacoman & dream follower @lala_laurieraised over $200,000 4 Tacoma Humane Society! #tacoma getrealtacomapodcast.com/the-itty-bitty…

— GetRealTacoma (@GetRealTacoma) December 28, 2012

@olympiafoodcoop Takes a stand in support of striking workers at UNFI. olympiafoodcoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/olympi… Thank you!

— Teamsters 117 (@teamsters117) December 28, 2012

I'm showing up at (the recently-broken-into) King's Books right when the open at 11:00 am to buy some books. #lovetacoma

— Kenny Coble (@kennycoble) December 28, 2012

So. King's Books got broken into this morn (via the salon). It appears only $275 is missing. But they left us some pants.

— King's Books (@kingsbooks) December 28, 2012

Good ass day went thrift shopping then went to the hookah bar where everyone was singing @macklemore and @ryanlewis songs #tacoma #253

— Avery Nuss (@anuss66) December 28, 2012

Thanks @callaghanpeter +TNT 4 my new minor b-list celebrity status! Will trade appearances at your #Tacoma events/happenings for $$$ !

— RR Anderson (@RR_Anderson) December 28, 2012

Where'd the T&A go? My new #Tacoma shirt I got today at #UDUB Tacoma. twitter.com/Mere253/status…

— Meredith (@Mere253) December 29, 2012

Everyone slow down, lean back, pop your shirt up, check out your belly, and sing "yellow submarine." Now, we're twins.

— Daniel Rahe (@danrahe) December 28, 2012

Tacoma News Tribune: Police investigate Tacoma church damage as possible hate crime bit.ly/Vb6FlU #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) December 26, 2012

I met the son of the #Mayor of #Tacoma #253 and he said he's gonna ask the mayor for more #Skateparks #bestpresentever #stoked turn up

— trendeeznuts (@TrenSwag) December 26, 2012

Just wanna say, I've never been shot at a bar in #Tacoma. What's up now Bvue?

— @602Sounder (@602Sounder) December 24, 2012

Today's Traffic Q&A is striking a chord with #Tacoma drivers. Are Tacoma's stoplights synchronized? bit.ly/WLRTbk

— Tacoma News Tribune (@thenewstribune) December 24, 2012

I was literally attacked by a midget! That is some Tacoma shit #Tacoma

— Justin Hayes (@jhayesfunny) December 24, 2012

Everyone in #tacoma wants to return everything they got for #Christmas today. #wtf

— Tara Klettke (@teklettke) December 27, 2012

#Native American flash mob occupies #Tacoma Mall food court bit.ly/YQI3VK

— Anonymous SkY (@AnonymouSkY) December 27, 2012

Yikes. #Olympia driver loses control of truck, loses boat (via @wspd1pio)twitter.com/wspd1pio/statu… #weregonnaneedabiggerboat #moviequotes #Xmas

— Lindsay Cohen (@cohenkomo) December 25, 2012

Just had great Holiday Blend from @olympiacoffee. So fruitful & refreshing, simply delicious! It goes fantastic w/ guava pastry or baklavas.

— Soo Yun Kim (@fairytalelady) December 24, 2012

HIT THIS STAGE >>>

The ball drops in Times Square. People on TV are singing. Fireworks go off in the distance. Strangers are kissing. You're already in your pajamas when you and your dog, wearing matching party hats, exchange a glum look as the remote slips from your fingers and falls between the couch cushions. Is this how you want to celebrate the start of a brand-spanking-new year?

Anyone who says that New Year's Eve isn't worth the hype is just a loser in denial - it's like when ugly people say that true beauty is on the inside. Let's face it: New Year's is a big deal, and since it only comes around once a year, no amount of planning is too much to ensure a smooth and festive transition from old to new. The Weekly Volcano posted a guide to South Sound New Year's Eve parties three weeks ago. It's been constantly updated, including Masa's DJ party, Varsity Grill's live band karaoke and burger contest, and Morso's Spy Party.

What has caught Bobble Tiki's wooden eye is the return of the Duchess of Downtown Stage during First Night Tacoma - Angela Jossy's third year running her stage. Located on the hidden stairway between Commerce and Broadway, next to Mad Hat Tea Company, this stage is cool with its mini amphitheater seating and overhead viewing. Hot food vendors and local art will be close by.

Oh, and the three bands on this stage are killer.

Death By Stars kicks it off at 7:30 p.m. Guitarist Patrick Galactic recently rolled his car, but the show must go on for this electro-psychedelic three-piece.

Big Wheel Stunt Show, hot off its show tonight at Jazzbones, will rock a new song New Year's Eve, as well as dust off many an old BWSS classic, beginning at 9 p.m.

Back from recording in Nashville, SweetKiss Momma hits the stage at 10:30 p.m. showcasing its new songs - but still carrying the band's rootsy, Southern soul rock sound.

"I scoured all my lands for the bravest, the handsomest and the most rockinest knights in all the land and awarded this honor only to the most worthy," says Jossy with a laugh.

No, it's true. These bands do rock the good looks.

DUCHESS OF DOWNTOWN STAGE, MONDAY, DEC. 31, 7:30-11:30 P.M., NO COVER, 1113 BROADWAY ST., TACOMA

LINK: First Night Tacoma

LINK: South Sound New Year's Eve parties

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION >>>

South Sound Sidekick series offers advice from experts living in the, well, the South Sound. It posts every Friday (sometimes on Saturday if holidays come into play). Today, The Counselor is back with the lowdown on what will happen if your roommates decide not to pay their portion of the rent.

Counselor, 

I rent a house and have two roommates, one is not paying his share of the rent; what can I do?  Can I kick them out?

Oh my, what to do. To answer this question the counselor needs a lot more information.  Is there a renter's agreement with the landlord? Maybe a lease? If there is, then who is on that agreement really controls a lot of my answer? I am going to act like you alone have made a simple verbal agreement with the landlord.  No written agreement and no lease. If such a document was signed it would control most of your choices.

So you alone have an agreement to pay say $900 per month and you also pay all the utilities. But you have two roommates who have verbally agreed to pay you $300 each and share the utilities.

Then one stops paying, right?  Now we are getting somewhere.

The very best thing you can do is not make verbal commitments with anyone about things that concern money.  WRITE IT DOWN THEN SIGN IT.  Verbal commitments to do anything are what are known in the law as an "oral contract." Write it down and it becomes a written contract. Written contracts are much easier to enforce. If you have a written contract, it is much easier to use the court system to make everyone do what he or she is supposed to do. With an oral contract, it is a messy and expensive process to get reimbursed or to make folks do what they agreed to do.

Writing it down, also reminds people of what they promised they would do.

A contract for sharing space or living together does not have to be fancy at all and many forms are sold at office supply stores.  Even just a simple written out agreement will be of some help.

Realistically, most people won't write it down, they will just believe things will be hunky dory and that their friends will be responsible until, well, until their friends run out of money.

So now what? No written agreements, friends not paying rent, still in house ... what to do? Start writing things down. Give them a three-day notice to quit the premises or pay the rent - then sign it. Give them a copy. Write them a letter. If they still won't move out you will need to take action.

You will not be able to throw them out yourself if they have been living there and paying rent. You will have to abide by the Landlord Tenant law in Washington.  Yes, you see, you have in fact become a landlord by the act of letting people live in a place that you have rented. Contact the Washington Tenants Union; they have partners in every county and can give you solid advice.

Contact your local dispute resolution center. Both Pierce and Thurston counties have pro bono legal groups that can help with this type of situation: Tacoma Pro Bono and Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services.

The bad news is that without a written agreement it is highly unlikely you will ever see a dime from this person. Technically, you could take them to small claims court over their oral agreement to pay you money.  But your chances of actually getting any money are slim to none.

Some other things you should consider when house sharing:

If the cable, electricity, water, etc is in your name then you, and you alone, are responsible for paying those. 

If you move out, I insist you physically go down to the cable office, the PUD, the city office and cancel those things in your name.  They will remain your responsible until you cancel them.

What are you going to do to prevent this from happening? You need to communicate with your roommates. You need to WRITE THINGS DOWN.

Be responsible for yourself and protect yourself. When you move out make sure to cancel the stuff in your name.

It is little stuff, it is easy stuff and it really matters when things go bad.

Happy New Year.  Be safe out there my friends.

The Counselor

>>> Questions for The Counselor may be sent to feedback@weeklyvolcano.com.

LINK: Marijuana legalization advice

LINK: Marijuana smoking advice

LINK: Speeding ticket advice

LINK: DUI advice

SUNDAY, DEC. 30 2012 >>>

1. The Weekly Volcano has a humble mission. We only want to be your conscience; we only want to influence everything you do. To entertain yourself, that is. Now, we have been talking among ourselves, and we have reached a decision about what you should do Sunday night. Every week we watch you tell lies around town. You don't just love it. You won't start working on it ASAP. You didn't send the email. So we have decided you need to know what's true and what's not. At 8 p.m. the Tacoma Comedy Club hosts Jay Hollingsworth's True Comedy Show. Immediately following each comedian's act, Hollingsworth will probe the comics with questions to reveal what's true and what's fiction in their material. We suggest you attend.

2. The Model Train Festival - downtown Tacoma's biggest model railroad exposition (taking into account, of course, the relatively small size of the subjects at hand because they are, of course, models) - runs through Jan. 1. Every floor of the Washington State History Museum will be filled with operating modular layouts. 

3. Harlequin Productions brings A Christmas Survival Guide to the stage one last time at 2 p.m. It plays to Harlequin's principal strengths: live pop music, technical design and intelligence (in no particular order). It also introduces diminutive spitfire Amy Shephard, newly returned from grad school at Exeter, to the Harlequin stage, where she joins revue regulars Antonía Darlene and Christian Doyle. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of A Christmas Survival Guide in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

4. You're sick and tired of driving through the neighborhood looking at the homes of people who think they deserve an award for their light displays. You deserve to take a night to go see ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Billed as the region's biggest walk-through light show, ZooLights includes animated light sculptures, live entertainment, snacks, animal encounters and the Paul Titus Carousel. While enjoying your stroll, be thankful you're not in charge of this holiday light display. The lights flip on at 5 p.m.

5. The poster for LyonPride Music's 13th Annual Holiday Bash shows a topless woman in a Santa hat riding another topless woman dress as a reindeer. Exactly what goes down tonight at The Backstage Bar and Grill is unknown. What is certain is the Mentor, Coven and The Dead Hookers will rock it, World Champion Pole Dancer Pantera Blacksmith with work it and there will be prizes for tattoos and raffles. Something will happen beginning at 7 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, Dec. 30 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

PUCKER UP PEOPLE >>>

For days now, you've been waiting for your posse to come up with a plan for New Year's Eve. Meanwhile, they were waiting for your brilliant plan, and there you are, all gussied up with no place to go when the ball drops. Before you end up watching your mate fall asleep in front of The Twilight Zone marathon, check out the following South Sound events and ideas for tonight.

New Year's Eve: How to survive it

The List: South Sound New Year's Eve parties

First Night Tacoma: The world didn't end, so First Night is a go!

Punk Rock NYE: Broken Oars headlines a huge punk show

Studio 54: You should be dancing at the Tacoma Art Museum

Rock Stage: Duchess of Downtown hosts a great stage

Campus MLK: The organization hosts a cool event in the Graffiti Garages

The New Frontier Lounge: Great indie rock show

New Year's Day: Hangover breakfast

New Year's Day: Polar Plunge!

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

THINGS CRAZY PEOPLE DO >>>

"I do it as kind of a cold shock, wash off last year, start clean for the new, kind of thing," says Joey Stern, polar bear plunger.

Last year, nearly 300 people showed up at Long Lake for the 28th annual Polar Bear Plunge - a good portion of them suffering from ball shrinkage or blinded by the sight of too much northwest gooseflesh. Some dressed in silly costumes. A penguin, Santa and a ballerina were spotted at last year's event, jumping and splashing and screaming with the rest.

Long Lake sits at a tempting 30-something degrees this time of year. Campfires, hot cocoa and coffee reward the brave souls that participate in this crazy, mass-baptism of sorts.

LONG LAKE, POLAR BEAR PLUNGE, TUESDAY, JAN. 1, 12 P.M., ACTUAL PLUNGE AT 1 P.M., 2790 CARPENTER ROAD SE, LACEY

LINK: There are crazy people in Tacoma, too

MONDAY, DEC. 31 2012 >>>

1. A legitimate excuse for frivolous hedonism comes but once a year, so we say make the most of it. Don a silly hat (everyone else will look stupid, too), pop a magnum of champagne and blow your horn: 2012 is finally done. Check out the Weekly Volcano's New Year's Eve Command Center for South Sound parties and events.

2. The Children's Museum of Tacoma will host a parade through its awesome space at noon. Expect noisemakers, "sparklers" and more. Aaaah.

3. ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is as much of a holiday tradition as the choking down an eggnog latte that contains never real egg or real nog. A stroll through the magnificent light display sounds really soothing tonight, instead of, you know, drinking and falling down. The lights flip on at 5 p.m.

4. The Middle Floor Merchants inside Sanford & Son Antiques will host a New Year's Eve Prefunk offering snacks and a special "Happy New Year" gift bag to the first 50 shoppers that spend $25 or more in its shops. It kicks off at 6 p.m.

5. First Night is a coordinated international phenomenon with hundreds of cities worldwide manifesting (relatively) drunk-free celebrations that allow people not interested in being totally smashed to come out of their homes to celebrate New Year’s. In Tacoma, past celebrations have included giant puppets, parades, pirates, racing pigs, rolling heads, music, performers, fireworks, medieval sword fights and more. First Night is back with a Mayan calendar theme this year, as well as a scavneger hunt, giant snake, fire and tons of music. Venues for this year’s offerings are all about Broadway — the Rialto Theater, Theater on the Square, the Pantages and indoor and outdoor spots from Seventh to 13 streets. Click here for the First Night Tacoma full schedule.

LINK: Monday, Dec. 31 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SHE'S AWESOME >>>

In the weeks before Christmas, Silvia Tapia gathered toys at the Varsity Grill. The downtown restaurant and sports bar was the home base for her toy drive. Each year, since 1999, Tapia rallies her community for this toy drive and then delivers gifts to children at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. It is for this reason that she is called Santa Silvia.

Monday, Dec. 24, Santa Silvia boarded her sleigh - well, really, it was more like a wagon since sleighs don't fit in hospitals - and headed to Mary Bridge.

"This year's event was fabulous," Tapia says. "There was an increase over last year collection. I don't know by how much exactly but we collected about 14 boxes full of toys, for differing ages. We delivered 6 of them to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and the rest of them went to Toys for Tots."

Santa Silvia teamed up with two long-time friends - Tom Loomis as Santa and Mike Combs - to deliver the gifts. First, the trio visited the ER and visited four families. Tapia says that's often all they can do.

"We were also able to go to the Outpatient Health Center there we saw about 10 families," she says. "Being able to see these little angels as Santa walks in their room, their eyes get so big and shiny, big smiles. For a second, it makes me feel I was able to take away their pain for them and their parents. If I could remove their pain or sickness permanently I would."

Toys that couldn't be delivered directly to kids this year were left at the hospital to be used for children's birthdays or other occasions.

While the donations were up this year, Tapia also received a pleasant surprise - the hospital not only invited her back again next year, but also invited her to help out with other major events and holidays at Mary Bridge.

LINK: Last year's Santa Silvia awesomeness